For Finnbar Maley, there’s always been a thread linking him to Adelaide, despite being born and bred in Victoria.

His parents lived in Adelaide during his Dad Paul’s NBL stint with the 36ers - which included helping the team to the 1998/99 title.

Maley’s best mate is also a diehard Crows fan.

Those connections came full circle last week when Maley joined the Adelaide Football Club in the final few hours of the 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade period.

This is the story behind how Maley became a Crow and an insight into the player, and person the 22-year-old key forward is.

The trade

Maley had initially expressed an interest in continuing his AFL career at another club, which led to a coffee with Crows GM List Management Justin Reid and National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie before an off-season trip to New Zealand.

While in New Zealand, Maley received a call from Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks and Coaching Director Murray Davis.

From that phone call, Maley was keen to be a Crow, but was still unsure if the club would pick him up.

“My manager put me in contact with Reidy and Hamish from the recruiting team at Adelaide before I went to New Zealand for my off-season trip,” Maley said.

 “I met them for coffee, and I thought it went really well but I wasn’t really sure how they perceived the meeting.

“But it must’ve gone alright because I ended up getting a FaceTime while I was over in Milford Sound (New Zealand) from Nicksy and Murray.

“I just really liked how they were really personable as senior coach and coaching director - the same went for Justin (Reid) and Hamish (Ogilvie), I took a liking to the people I had met so far from the Club.”

Maley returned home from New Zealand on Sunday - three days before the trade period was set to end - and with a university assignment due.

“I got home from what was the best trip ever and I got back into training and my routine, and I wasn’t really sure if it was going to go through,” Maley said.

“Then on Wednesday my manager said ‘hey mate, they’re going to trade for you’, so it sort of all went down from there, and I am so excited about it.

“There was a bit on, on Wednesday, but it was nice that the trade ended up getting done - I’ve had a lot of text messages come through from both ends - and I’m pretty excited.

“I had to get a Uni assignment done the day I got traded as well - and bloody oath I got it done.”

Maley on his connection to Adelaide 

Although Maley wasn’t born during his Dad’s stint with the 36ers, he said his family loved living in Adelaide.

His sister, Anneli, also once lived in Adelaide, featuring with WNBL team, the Lightning, in 2016-2017.

And with his best mate being a Crows supporter, Adelaide games took centre stage on the TV when he wasn’t playing.

“I actually watched a fair few of Adelaide’s games this year just because my best mate is a diehard Crows fan,” Maley said.

“I really liked the way the ‘three-headed monster’ (forward line of Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker) worked for them.

“I thought that in time, I can see myself being a part of that, so that’s what I really liked about how the Crows play, so I’m stoked to be a Crow.

“My parents also loved their time in Adelaide, they enjoyed the lifestyle and moved back (to Victoria) just because of family reasons.”

Switching codes

Having a family with a basketball background meant Maley didn’t focus on footy as a junior.

Although he dabbled in it, basketball took up much of his teenage years, before the COVID pandemic led to a change of heart.

“I think basketball is a little more individualistic than footy, so I quit in 2021, and I was living in Ocean Grove at the time and my Mum put forward the idea of me going to this school in Geelong that had a footy program,” Maley said.

“I enjoyed it, and one of my best mates - the Crows supporter - told me to play under-19s footy at my local club in Eltham, so I started catching the train up every week from Geelong and I just absolutely loved it.

“It was more of a cultural shift, that’s why I enjoyed it.

“As much as you enjoy good performances in footy, it’s more about banding together to get the job done as a team.”

Footy so far

Maley helped Eltham to a Northern Football Netball League Premiership as a 20-year-old in 2023, booting five goals in the game.

His standout performance led to him winning a contract with VFL side Northern Knights, before being drafted by North Melbourne ahead of the 2024 AFL season.

“I really enjoyed my time at North, the people there are amazing, and the Club gave me a really good platform to build on in terms of my knowledge of the game,” Maley said.

“But I think what I really like about the way Adelaide plays is how they’ve developed quite a few really good tall forwards.

“The way Nicksy put forward how they really value that contest ahead of the ball and it seemed that they would value my ability to influence the Crows’ game plan.”

What fans can expect

The 197cm recruit is confident in what he can offer at the Crows, highlighting his competitive edge and team-first mentality.

“In terms of my ability, I think I am pretty good aerially, I like to think that I am a really good competitor, and I don’t like losing,” Maley said.

“My pressure as a tall forward and my workrate are two things I pride myself on, and I also think I try to be a really good teammate and club member.”

Fans’ reaction

After the trade to the Crows was publicly announced, Maley’s Instagram following skyrocketed, with the forward keen to embrace the “tricolour army” - in his words.

“I did try to stay off social media because I had that assignment to finish and I went and visited my parents, but I did see that I had a massive jump up (in Instagram followers),” Maley said.

“I knew that Adelaide has got a massive following and a huge fan base, but I didn’t really expect them to jump on straight away, but I hope they like what they see.

Adelaide Oval’s appeal

The experience of playing home games at Adelaide Oval is another new opportunity Maley says he can’t wait for.

He says lining up in front of 50,000 passionate Crows fans is a moment he will cherish, when he gets an opportunity.

“I have never played at Adelaide Oval, I was an emergency once for North’s game against Port and I was wowed by the setup, the hill, and the crowd.

“From everything I hear about the Crows crowds there, it’s really vibrant.

“My best mate raves about it.

“That’s something else I’m pretty keen for - when I get my opportunity to run out and hopefully give something to the crowd to cheer about.”

Moving states

Maley is preparing to be in Adelaide by next month, with his partner, Elly, joining him at the start of next year.

The key forward says he is looking forward to the lifestyle change.

“I will hopefully be in Adelaide by November 16 or 17, and my partner will move over in January,” he said.

“Her teaching career has started as well, so that’s pretty cool for her.

“I am really keen for the lifestyle change of being able to go for a walk down the beach with my partner, or the boys, and go for a dip.

“Footy will always take priority, but when I get the time, I’d also love to drive down to Victor Harbor, as I’ve heard there’s some good surf breaks there as well.”